The military authorities have advised that it is not possible to provide the data in the format requested by the Deputy, without an extensive exercise in tracking, on an individual application basis, applicants that were inducted and subsequently completed their training. Additionally, applications made in any one year may not complete the recruitment process within that year, and thereafter the training period may extend into a further year. For example, applications made in 2023 may result in inductions in 2024, and if late in 2024, training will not be completed until 2025.
The military authorities have provided the following information, by Branch and year, for General Service Recruits (GSR) and Cadets:
|
|
Army
|
Air Corps
|
Naval Service
|
|
2023 Applications: GSR
|
5,219
|
1,172
|
1,088
|
|
2023 Inductions: GSR
|
244
|
10
|
57
|
|
2023 Completed Training: GSR (Private 3 star)
|
162
|
9
|
44
|
|
2024 Applications: GSR*
|
908
|
231
|
181
|
|
2023 Applications: Cadet
|
641
|
400
|
172
|
|
2023 Inductions: Cadet
|
47
|
11
|
5
|
*as at 29/02/2024
The military authorities have further advised that the first inductions due in 2024 are scheduled to take place shortly. In respect of Cadets, the 2024 Cadetship competition has yet to launch while the Cadet class of 2023 will continue in training until 2025. In 2024, as at 31 January, no General Service Recruits had completed training.
General Service recruits undertake recruit and 2 star training before becoming 3 star privates (Able Seaman Naval Service) on successful completion of such training. The rank that Cadets are commissioned at following their training is dependent on the relevant educational qualifications they possessed when applying to the Defence Forces. Cadets who were school leavers/non graduates on application to the Defence Forces are commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants (Ensign Naval Service) while those who were graduate applicants are commissioned as Lieutenants (Sub Lieutenant Naval Service).
